Guy and Deanna came all the way from St. Louis to get married at a rented farmhouse in beautiful Craftsbury, Vermont. They had about 10 friends and family there with them, and we did the ceremony out underneath a couple of old apple trees called “The Married Couple” by the owners of the farmhouse. At the [...]
Posts under ‘Wedding Advice’
JP or Me?
When folks start planning their wedding, one of the most critical questions is figuring out who’s going to perform the ceremony. Part of the challenge is that in civil society, the state, rather than individuals, decides what makes a marriage “legitimate” in the eyes of the law – with all the associated rights and priviledges. [...]
Making Room To Marry
When I was planning my wedding, I was fortunate to have a close friend, Heather, who was also planning her wedding at the same time. So we were united in a Blood Bond of Nuptial Madness. We would run around Seattle together looking at dresses and flowers and shoes and occasionally turn to each other [...]
Five Great Reasons to Get Married in Vermont
photo by Jennifer Kiewit Truth be told, Vermont already has a fantastic reputation as a wedding destination. The gorgeous, pastoral setting, the friendly, community-oriented people, and the well-developed year-round tourist industry make it a thoroughly delightful place to pledge your troth. But just in case you’re unfamiliar with the Green Mountain State or are feeling [...]
Top 5 Things Not To Do At Your Wedding
Having officiated at dozens of weddings over the years, I’ve started keeping a list of minor and major pitfalls that marrying couples can accidentally fall into. None of these have been the cause of Total Wedding Ruination, but they’ve made a happy, memorable moment somewhat less happy and a little more fuzzy than anyone expected. [...]
The Structure of A Ceremony
While your wedding ceremony can consist of absolutely anything, it often helps couples clarify their thinking to know what the traditional structure of a ceremony looks like. That way, they’ve got a sense of flow, and what elements they might want to look for in personalizing their wedding. I come from a theater background, so [...]
Tips To Green Up Your Wedding
1. Hold the wedding outside and/or during the day for natural lighting. 2. Use locally grown flowers or potted plants for decorations and bouquets. 3. Have the ceremony and the reception in the same place so people don’t have to do a lot of extra driving. 4. Use beeswax candles (conventional candles are made with [...]
Tips For Including Nature In Your Ceremony
1. Hold your ceremony outside, and acknowledge the beauty of the setting. 2. Use poems or readings from celebrated nature writers such Mary Oliver, Gary Snyder, or Wendell Berry 3. As the guests enter, have attendants ritually wash their hands in bowls filled with water and flower petals as they welcome your guests to the ceremony. Make sure [...]
